Thermionic/AMTEC cascade converter concept for high-efficiencyspace power

This paper presents trade studies that address the use of the thermionic/AMTEC cell-a cascaded, high efficiency, static power conversion concept that appears well-suited to space power applications. Both the thermionic and AMTEC power conversion approaches have been shown to be promising candidates for space power. Thermionics offers system compactness via modest efficiency at high heat rejection temperatures, and AMTEC offers high efficiency at modest heat rejection temperature. From a thermal viewpoint, the two are ideally suited for cascaded power conversion: thermionic heat rejection and AMTEC heat source temperatures are essentially the same. In addition to realizing conversion efficiencies potentially as high as 35-40% such a cascade offers the following perceived benefits: Survivability-capable of operation in the Van Allen belts; Simplicity-static conversion, no moving parts; Long lifetime-no inherent life-limiting mechanisms identified; Technology readiness-Large thermionic database; AMTEC efficiencies of 18% currently being demonstrated, with more growth potential available; and Technology growth-applicable to both solar thermal and reactor-based nuclear space power systems. Mechanical approaches and thermal/electric matching criteria for integrating thermionics and AMTEC into a single conversion device are described. Focusing primarily on solar thermal space power applications, parametric trends are presented to show the performance and cost potential that should be achievable with present-day technology in cascaded thermionic/AMTEC systems     

Radioisotope powered AMTEC systems

Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) systems are being developed for high performance spacecraft power systems, including small, General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) powered systems. Several design concepts have been evaluated for the power range from 75 W to 1 kW. The specific power for these concepts has been found to be as high as 18-20 W/kg and 22 kW/m³. The projected area, including radiators, has been as low as 0.4 m²/kW. AMTEC power systems are extremely attractive, relative to other current and projected power systems, because AMTEC offers high power density, low projected area, and low volume. Two AMTEC cell design types have been identified. A single-tube cell is already under development and a multi-tube cell design, to provide additional power system gains, has undergone proof-of-principle testing. Solar powered AMTEC (SAMTEC) systems are also being developed, and numerous terrestrial applications have been identified for which the same basic AMTEC cells being developed for radioisotope systems are also suitable     

AMTEC cells challenge energy converters

Sodium-base alkali-metal-thermal-to-electric conversion (AMTEC) cells have been receiving attention. Recently they were selected for the next generation deep-space missions, which need a converter that makes electricity from radioisotope heat. The AMTEC cell, being an electrochemical converter of heat to electricity, has no moving parts and is not limited to Carnot-cycle efficiency. However, its heat source and sink have to be near each other, so the challenge in AMTEC design is to minimize thermal losses and maximize electricity production. This required clever thermal designs. By 1991, high-temperature materials and computer modeling became available. The important AMTEC application was generating power from radioisotope heat in deep space missions. These spacecraft power needs had previously been supplied by inefficient thermoelectric converters     

Design and integration of a solar AMTEC power system with anadvanced global positioning satellite

A 1,200-W solar AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric conversion) power system concept was developed and integrated with an advanced global positioning system (GPS) satellite. The critical integration issues for the SAMTEC with the GPS subsystems included: (1) packaging within the Delta II launch vehicle envelope; (2) deployment and start-up operations for the SAMTEC; (3) SAMTEC operation during all mission phases; (4) satellite field of view restrictions with satellite operations; and (5) effect of the SAMTEC requirements on other satellite subsystems. The SAMTEC power system was compared with a conventional planar solar array/battery power system to assess the differences in system weight, size, and operations, Features of the design include the use of an advanced multitube, vapor anode AMTEC cell design with 24% conversion efficiency, and a direct solar insolation receiver design with integral LiF salt canisters for energy storage to generate power during the maximum solar eclipse cycle, The modular generator design consists of an array of multitube AMTEC cells arranged into a parallel/series electrical network with built-in cell redundancy. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the solar generator design is scaleable over a 500 to 2,500-W range. No battery power is required during the operational phase of the GPS mission. SAMTEC specific power levels greater than 5 We/kg and 160 We/m² are anticipated for a mission duration of 10 to 12 years in orbits with high natural radiation backgrounds     

Micro-power Amtec systems

There are several terrestrial applications for energy conversion systems with electrical outputs of a few volts in the power range from hundreds of milliwatts to a few watts. Potential applications include: power for instrumentation, communication and device actuation in severe or harsh environments, as well as a variety of low duty cycle monitoring tasks for the military. For cost and/or packaging reasons, some of these applications are severely heat source limited. In this paper we describe the development and performance of AMTEC systems capable of producing 0.3 to 0.5 watts from a radioisotope heat source limited to a total thermal output of less than 4 watts, The approach utilizes a new “chimney cell” design and a thermal insulation system consisting of a specialized multi-layer insulation (MLI) package in combination with fibrous insulation. The cell operates at 0.4 W_c to over 0.5 W_c with an input surface temperature of 700°C. Measurements of the thermal performance of a readily manufactured MLI package indicate that operation at these temperatures will be achievable with a total heat input of ~4 W_th     

Deep space travel energy sources

Exploration of the planets beyond Mars and their surroundings is already planned. Astronomy researchers are citing important information that can be obtained with instrumented spacecraft that fly beyond the planets of our solar system. Spacecraft flying these missions need power for performing their functions and communicating with Earth stations. Sunlight in these zones is so weak that alternative energy sources are needed. An alternative power source for deep-space missions is radioisotope heated energy converters.. The choice of heat-to-electric power conversion is narrowing to: 1) the Stirling engine; and 2) a combined cycle with thermionic and alkali-metal thermoelectric (AMTEC) heat-to-electricity conversion. For propulsion into deep space, a nuclear-reactor-heated AMTEC energy converter that powers ion engines can become the best alternative to hoisting tons of rockets into Earth orbit.     

基于动态边界的跨声速压气机过渡态三维模拟方法

针对航空涡轮发动机部件的过渡态,提出了一种基于压气机部件三维模型的过渡态性能计算方法,采用动态边界条件,以转速和出口静压为过渡过程的控制参数,二阶向后欧拉法求解三维非定常雷诺平均Navier-Stokes方程组,通过三维非定常模拟获得压气机的过渡态性能和内部非定常流场特征。以NASA跨声速压气机Rotor 67转子为模型,采用该方法模拟了压气机从60%设计转速加速至100%设计转速的过渡过程,获得了压气机过渡态性能及转子内部详细的激波结构与演变过程。对比通用特性结果,在整个过渡曲线上,总压比相对误差最大值小于6%,绝热效率相对误差最大值小于2%,验证了该方法的可靠性。结论表明:基于动态边界的三维非定常模拟方法能够准确模拟压气机的过渡态性能,并反映出过渡态的非定常流场详细信息。     

AMTEC electrochemical heat-to electricity conversion defies secondlaw

Sacred among the mechanical engineers is the “second law of thermodynamics,” which defines the maximum possible efficiency of an engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical power. The second law value is the difference between the engine's heat-source temperature and its heat-sink temperature, divided by the absolute value of the engine's heat-source temperature. For example, an engine setting on 0° C ice and running on steam from 100°C boiling water is not allowed to have more than 26.8% efficiency. Power-generating violators of the second law efficiency-limit range from horses to fuel cells. They do not burn fuel to generate mechanical or electrical power. The latest second law violator is the alkali-metal thermal-to-electric converter. Its efficiency approaches 25 percent. AMTEC cells and their variations were the topics of 12 papers at the 35^th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) in July 2000     

Nonlinear dynamics of a flapping rotary wing: Modeling and optimal wing kinematic analysis

The analysis of the passive rotation feature of a micro Flapping Rotary Wing(FRW)applicable for Micro Air Vehicle(MAV) design is presented in this paper. The dynamics of the wing and its influence on aerodynamic performance of FRW is studied at low Reynolds number(~10~3).The FRW is modeled as a simplified system of three rigid bodies: a rotary base with two flapping wings. The multibody dynamic theory is employed to derive the motion equations for FRW. A quasi-steady aerodynamic model is utilized for the calculation of the aerodynamic forces and moments. The dynamic motion process and the effects of the kinematics of wings on the dynamic rotational equilibrium of FWR and the aerodynamic performances are studied. The results show that the passive rotation motion of the wings is a continuous dynamic process which converges into an equilibrium rotary velocity due to the interaction between aerodynamic thrust, drag force and wing inertia. This causes a unique dynamic time-lag phenomena of lift generation for FRW, unlike the normal flapping wing flight vehicle driven by its own motor to actively rotate its wings. The analysis also shows that in order to acquire a high positive lift generation with high power efficiency and small dynamic time-lag, a relative high mid-up stroke angle within 7–15° and low mid-down stroke angle within -40° to -35° are necessary. The results provide a quantified guidance for design option of FRW together with the optimal kinematics of motion according to flight performance requirement.     

Working medium circuit for alkali metal thermoelectric converters(AMTEC)

The possibility is studied to create a sodium circuit in an AMTEC type conversion device. The proposed circuit is based on a heat pipe that includes the evaporation-condensation cycle. Different layouts based on this principle are presented. The proposed circuit is characterized by the following advantages: no need for an electromagnetic pump; low load on the converter; and a better capability to control temperature drop at the converter     

空天飞行器整体式救生座舱的稳定减速与分离特性数值模拟

整体式密闭救生座舱方案将座椅与驾驶舱进行整体设计，弹射后具有独立的气动型面，在包含亚声速、跨声速、超声速甚至高超声速等非常宽广的速度范围可以更好地保护飞行员免受高速气流的吹袭，是空天飞行器救生系统设计的重要途径之一。针对整体式救生座舱，首先开展基本静态气动性能数值模拟评估；之后采用一种刚性减速伞增稳方案（整体式座舱+减速伞）对其稳定性和减速效率进行改进；最后采用动态重叠网格方法，对整体式座舱+减速伞构型的近机弹射轨迹特性开展动态数值模拟计算，从而获得该构型在抛投过程中的稳定性和安全性。研究结果表明，单独整体式救生座舱难以具备静稳定性；减速伞方案可大幅改善座舱的稳定性能，使座舱在Ma=0.3~4.0范围内均具有静、动态稳定性，并呈现亚声速时随马赫数升高而增强、超声速时随马赫数升高而减弱的变化规律，且高马赫数（Ma=4.0）工况可通过降低飞行高度以增加动压的方式进一步提升座舱的动稳定性；在宽速域范围内，整体式座舱+减速伞构型经过弹射力和火箭推力的辅助作用，能够实现与机体的安全分离，并且分离后其俯仰振荡姿态均具有收敛特性。     

Robust Control for Static Loading of Electro-hydraulic Load Simulator with Friction Compensation

Load simulator is a key test equipment for aircraft actuation systems in hardware-in-the-loop-simulation. Static loading is an essential function of the load simulator and widely used in the static/dynamic stiffness test of aircraft actuation systems. The tracking performance of the static loading is studied in this paper. Firstly, the nonlinear mathematical models of the hydraulic load simulator are derived, and the feedback linearization method is employed to construct a feed-forward controller to improve the force tracking performance. Considering the effect of the friction, a LuGre model based friction compensation is synthesized, in which the unmeasurable state is estimated by a dual state observer via a controlled learning mechanism to guarantee that the estimation is bounded. The modeling errors are attenuated by a well-designed robust controller with a control accuracy measured by a design parameter. Employing the dual state observer is to capture the different effects of the unmeasured state and hence can improve the friction compensation accuracy. The tracking performance is summarized by a derived theorem. Experimental results are also obtained to verify the high performance nature of the proposed control strategy.     

一种基于螺旋桨部件特性的螺旋桨建模方法

通过缩比法,利用螺旋桨通用部件特性获得期望研究的螺旋桨部件特性,提出了飞行速度不为零条件下的螺旋桨数学模型建模算法,同时,借鉴缩比后螺旋桨部件特性、螺旋桨定桨叶角工作性能曲线以及螺旋桨空气动力学原理,分析了静拉力状态下的螺旋桨功率系数、拉力系数、桨叶角、螺旋桨静态推力进距比阈值以及螺旋桨几何设计参数的相互作用关系,提出了静拉力状态下的螺旋桨数学模型建模算法。所述算法与Gas Turbine Simulation Program (GSP)软件仿真数据进行了数字仿真对比验证。结果表明:所提出的螺旋桨建模算法具有有效性,在前进状态下,螺旋桨拉力相对误差最大不超过6.6059×10-6，需求功率相对误差最大不超过5.5098×10-6，效率相对误差最大不超过6.6955×10-6。      

基于励磁电流前馈调节的航空直流发电系统建模分析

 高压直流(HVDC)发电系统因为其效率高、质量轻以及可靠性高等诸多优点成为航空供电系统的首选,其系统输出端存在着用于滤波的大电容,这使得采用传统PI调节方案的调压器不能满足系统的动态性能要求。因此,提出了采用励磁电流前馈(ECF)的调压器技术。对该技术进行了详细的理论分析,分别建立了有励磁电流前馈环和无励磁电流前馈环的发电系统的数学模型。比较2个系统的性能,发现有励磁电流前馈环的发电系统截止频率得到了较大的提高。实验表明,在突加负载和突卸负载2种情况下,加入励磁电流前馈环控制,系统能够迅速响应,保持稳定并且超调量小,动态性能得到了明显提高。该方法可推广到不同类型的航空发电系统的调压控制中。     

轴向磁场磁通切换永磁电机控制系统建模及仿真研究

提出了一种新型结构的6/13极定子模块式轴向磁场磁通切换永磁(AFFSPM)电机。该电机具有结构紧凑、转矩密度大、效率高和容错性能强等特点。分析了AFFSPM电机结构和工作原理,推导了AFFSPM电机的数学模型。利用MATLAB/Simulink仿真软件搭建了AFFSPM电机控制系统仿真模型,分别对滑模速度控制和比例谐振控制的控制策略进行仿真研究,分析对比AFFSPM电机的转速、转矩和三相电流的波形。仿真结果表明,与比例谐振控制策略相比而言,滑模控制策略下该新型AFFSPM电机控制系统具有较好的静态和动态性能。     

某型无人机螺旋桨的设计与气动性能分析

为了提高某型无人机(UAV)的航时,螺旋桨应该具有高的巡航效率、足够的爬升拉力。利用高效率螺旋桨设计方法设计了某型无人机的两叶木质螺旋桨,获得了螺旋桨的弦长和桨叶角分布,基于片条理论计算了螺旋桨的气动性能,进行了螺旋桨的地面静态试验。结果表明:螺旋桨性能计算结果与台架试验结果具有较好的一致性,螺旋桨性能计算的巡航效率为83.81%,巡航拉力为222.95 N。设计的两叶木质螺旋桨可以满足某型无人机的巡航效率与拉力需求。     

K-Nearest Neighbor Particle Filters for Dynamic Hybrid Bayesian Networks

In state estimation of dynamic systems, Kalman filters and HMM filters have been applied to linear-Gaussian models and models with finite state spaces. However, they do not work well in most practical problems with nonlinear and non-Gaussian models. Even when the state space is finite, the dynamic Bayesian networks describing the HMM model could be too complicated to manage. Sequential Monte Carlo methods, also known as particle filters (PFs), have been introduced to deal with these real-world problems. They allow us to treat any type of probability distribution, nonlinearity and nonstationarity although they usually suffer major drawbacks of sample degeneracy and inefficiency in high-dimensional cases. We show how we can exploit the structure of partially dynamic hybrid Bayesian networks (PD-HBN) to reduce ``sample depletion' and increase the efficiency of particle filtering by combining the well-known K-nearest neighbor (KNN) majority voting strategy and the concept of evolution algorithm. Essentially, the novel method resamples the dynamic variables and randomly combines them with the existing samples of static variables to produce new particles. As new observations become available, the algorithm allows the particles to incorporate the latest information so that the fittest particles associated with a proposed objective rule will be kept for resampling. We also conduct a theoretical analysis on the proposed KNN-PF algorithm, and demonstrate the accuracy of the performance prediction with extensive simulations. Performance analysis and numerical results show that this new approach has a superior estimation/classification performance compared to other related algorithms.     

基于MTPA的内置式永磁同步电机转矩预测控制

针对采用矢量控制方法的内置式永磁同步电机(IPMSM)存在解耦复杂、附加优化目标难以融入系统控制等问题,提出了一种基于最大转矩电流比(MTPA)的IPMSM转矩预测控制方法。在推导MTPA控制原理的基础上,分析了转矩预测的控制机理及性能指标函数。22 kW试验样机的仿真与试验结果表明,系统稳态及全局加减负载条件下调速性能良好、转矩动态响应迅速。该方法在重载条件下定子电流利用率显著提高,满足电动车辆驱动控制系统的性能和效率指标要求。     

航空发动机多变量模糊PID控制

普通PID控制器以其简单、实用、易于实现,在经典控制中倍受青睐。但是,对于像航空发动机这样复杂的非线性系统,这种控制器的控制效果就不够理想了。模糊控制理论的建立为这种问题的解决奠定了基础。本文针对航空发动机难于建立精确数学模型的特点,提出了发动机模糊PID参数自适应控制方案,并且对某型航空发动机进行了全包线内的数字仿真。仿真结果表明发动机模糊PID控制不仅不依赖于精确的对象模型,而且具有满意的动、静态性能。